"This reprehensible move to blacklist so-called ‘undesirable organizations’ marks another low point for Russian authorities that have systematically sought to slash and burn the country’s civil society in recent years. [...] The new law targeting foreign organizations working in Russia is expressly designed to curtail freedom of expression and association. Its continued use will have a devastating impact on the work of national organizations that defend human rights of ordinary Russians and keep the authorities in check. [...] Sadly with the ‘undesirables’ law, its bark is proving as bad as its bite, and the mere threat of being targeted is already having a stigmatizing effect on human rights defenders, NGOs and charities doing vital and legitimate work in Russia. [...] The direct targeting of foreign funders is calculated to dry up philanthropic support to Russian NGOs that the authorities deem a threat. The authorities should move to repeal the insidious laws on ‘foreign agents’ and ‘undesirable’ foreign organizations without delay.”

- John Dalhuisen, Europe and Central Asia Programme Director at Amnesty International